Apologies to all our readers for the lack of a Parish Newsletter for August and September 2008.

Progress on our Church - Many thanks to the committed team who have worked continuously on various aspects.  Week by week we are seeing the Church look more and more Orthodox.
George has offered his artistic gift in the wall painting of Christ Pantocrator above the apse.  It's beautiful. Philip has been painstakingly preparing the Royal Doors for painting. Gregory and Fr. Christodoulos have hung the deacons' doors temporarily on the icon screen, as well as many other jobs.

Social Room - What was to have been a patching-up job on the ceiling turned out to be rather more!  Our plasterer, Carl, has completed plaster-boarding the whole of the ceiling as it was evident that was required. Further work is now needed to strengthen the brickwork and will be completed in the next two weeks.

Decorating of Social Room - We will shortly be ready to begin the re-decoration. If you can give some time to help with preparation of surfaces, painting, renewing skirting board, please speak to Gregory.

Cleaning - As a result of all the dusty jobs being done, the Church, Hall, kitchen and toilets are badly in need of cleaning by Friday, to be ready for our Sunday worship.  Currently only a handful of people are doing this.  More helpers are needed.

Gardening - Last Autumn, Anthony kindly prepared the ground and planted shrubs and Spring bulbs in our Church garden.  From time to time, weeding and general tidying of the area is necessary.  Are you interested?  Tools can be made available for you.                                                                                                                      .

Parish Lunch: Sunday 9th November - Ligomel and Sophiamma have offered to prepare some Indian food for us.  A small donation of £5 per adult and £3 per child can be made to boost our Church funds.  It's a good opportunity to invite family and friends to Church.  The ladies will need to know how many to cater for, so phone Church or Pres. Mary with numbers of people coming.  Alternatively, tell us anytime until a few days beforehand.  This will be a good social time to relax together.  Bring some drinks. craft items, preserves, etc. can be brought for sale, too.

Children's Library - Now that the children have their own Sunday School room, a library of Christian books has been ordered so that they can take home a different book each week to enjoy alone and with family.  If you have any Bible story books or other Christian books for youngsters that your child has finished with, we are happy to include these in the Library.

Christmas Cards - Good selections are for sale at half price!

Almsgiving - We are approaching the time of the Nativity Fast to help us prepare for the Feast of the Birth of Christ our Saviour.  At this time we give an offering, as we also do in Great Lent.  Do you have some ideas of some worthy causes, Orthodox and non- Orthodox, that Holy Apostles Community can support? Please let us know.

Theophany - The Blessing of the water at Theophany will take place by anticipation on Sunday 4th January after the Holy Liturgy.  From 6th January Fr Christodoulos will be available to visit your home to bless both your home and your family.  Arrange a convenient day and time with Father.

Finally, we all miss you when you are not present at Holy Liturgy and look forward to seeing you soon.  When the time comes, have a blessed Nativity Fast.